College of Education

A message from Interim Dean Shawn Quilter

By Shawn Quilter | Published March 17, 2015

Shawn Quilter, Interim Dean, EMU College of Education

It is my privilege to share the news that Dr. Michael Sayler will begin his tenure as dean of the College of Education at Eastern Michigan University on June 1, 2015. Dr. Sayler was appointed to the dean's position this month by EMU provost and executive vice president, Dr. Kim Schatzel. Dr. Sayler will also hold a faculty appointment as a professor within the Department of Teacher Education.

Dr. Sayler's doctorate is in the field of educational psychology from Purdue University. His masters degree is in educational psychology, also from Purdue University, while his baccalaureate degree is in elementary education from St. John's University of Collegeville, MN.

Currently, Dr. Sayler serves as senior associate dean in the College of Education at the University of North Texas. He has served as an associate dean in the College of Education since 2002. More information about Dr. Sayler's appointment is available in the official EMU press release. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Sayler to the College of Education community!

Since the last newsletter, Drs. Sally Burton-Hoyle and Derrick Fries have completed our application with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) for an undergraduate major in Autism Spectrum Disorders. We look forward to hearing positive news from the MDE.

Dr. Jerlando Jackson (Vilas Distinguished Professor of Higher Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison) was named the 2014-15 Michael Morris Endowed Chair. Along with collaborators Drs. LaVar Charleston and Raul Leon, Dr. Jackson will engage the College of Education and EMU communities in discussions and research regarding the success of Black/African American male students in higher education. To learn more, visit Michael G. Morris Endowed Chair website.

In mid-February 2015, Dr. Ethan Lowenstein (professor, Teacher Education) was named the 2015-16 John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education. Dr. Lowenstein and his Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition (SEMIS) colleagues will engage the College of Education community in various activities aimed at strengthening the College's engagement in place-based education and school community partnerships. SEMIS' school partners include several K-12 schools in Detroit as well as schools throughout southeast Michigan. SEMIS also works with nearly two dozen community partners. To learn more, visit the John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education.

In this edition, we will highlight the accomplishments of Brandon Britt, one of our students preparing to be an elementary teacher. We will also update you on the current John W. Porter Chair Speaker Series, the activities of our Office of Urban, Community, and International Outreach (OUCIO), and share information about our donor recognition wall and an upcoming professional development conference sponsored by our Social Foundations faculty members. Please take a few minutes to read about the accomplishments of our outstanding students, faculty, staff and alumni as well.

I invite you to "Like" the College of Education's Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/emucoe and "Follow" us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/emucoe. Among other news items, we have started posting job opportunities on our social media channels. This is also a great way to keep informed of College of Education events and activities. Please share this information with interested family members and colleagues.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank the faculty, staff and students of the College of Education for their support while serving as interim dean. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work as interim dean of the College of Education. It is a humbling and rewarding experience to work with so many dedicated people. Our College has a long history of excellence and a bright future ahead. We all look forward to welcoming Dr. Michael Sayler as our dean and supporting his leadership of the College.

I welcome and encourage your comments. You can reach me at squilter@emich.edu or 734.487.1414. If you would like to schedule a tour of the John W. Porter building, please contact emu_coe@emich.edu.